The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-09-14

out literally the scriptural injunction,
.'Be diligent in business" and so they
hold up the advantages of their text
books, in such glowing colors that
boards of supervisors and boards of ex-
| aminers, and county superintendents
and teachers all fall in love with their
series. Then the inducements come.
Introductory prices, cheap! cheap
cheap Exchange price cheaper still,
and a free copy to the teacher if adopt
ed, etc., etc. Finally the negotiation is
accomplished, the curtain falls, the pub
| fishers retire from the scene, and the
people come into view. A search is in
stituted for old books, and SO the whole
place is ransacked from cellar to garret,
and every old school book, regardless Of
age, service, color, previous or present
condition, is packed up and carried
away to the exchange store. And thus
old books, absolutely worth nothing, are
exchanged for a mere nominal differ
ence, for good, new books. Good trade
for publishers; good trade for people.
"All is we'll that ends we'll" So it
might be if the people would unani-
mously take hold of the enterprise. But
alasl there are always some who will
not. At any rate, a partial exchange by
counties is better than no exchange at
all, and it surely is decided improve
ment upon the plan of no uniformity.
A height oring county, however, may
adopt different series, and then woe to
line-schoels, and families who cross
county lines in moving, as many tenants
do. In few years the time is out and
rival publishing company comes on
with its bids, inducements, and hence a
chance for another general upheaval,
and exchange of books.
Well, perhaps this is all right. His
tory is said to repeat itself. At any
rate, this plan keeps up a generous
spirit of rivalry, and authors are always
trying to make Improvements; so that
progress and advancement in methods
and matter are constantly stimulated
and encouraged. Uniformity of text
books by counties, then, seems to be prac-
ticable, somewhat efficient, and alto
gether desirable, if nothing better can
be substituted. The failures we have
met are due rather to indifference and
carelessness on the part of the people
than to any inherent deficiency in the
law itself We need another law to en-
force the one we have.
We shall not dismiss the subject, how
ever, till we view it from another stand
point, which may even be better than
uniformity by counties. Could we have
uniformity of textbooks by States?
Would this be practicable, expedient or
desirable? / see no reason why such an
arrangement could not be made practi-
cable. As in all other State matters,
such movement should be begun with
ard nrrr6nnaa little
hasty action or indiscretion might make
our already bad matters much worse.
IL the Legislature, after due delibera-
ton and open and frank discussion,
should approve of such, with the lights
now before me, l should regard their
legislation wise. The details, | think,
could be arranged easily. l should
think that commission, authorized by
the Legislature, to which at least one
year of time should be given, would be
better qualified to select series OF
books for uniform use in the State, than
the Legislature itself. 1t would seem
that the work might be safely entrusted
to a commission of which our State
Superintendent should be chairman,
consisting, say, of one practical teacher
in public schools from each Senatorial
district, whose travelling expenses should
be paid, and liberal per diem for each
day of service given to the work. Let
them meet in Jackson, freely discuss
textbooks, arrange all matters of detail
for exchange with publishers, and final
ly adopt series whith should be COM
pulsory in the public schools for at least
five years. The cost to the State for the
commission would be mere trifie. The
main trouble would be to induce patrons
to conform promptly and cheerfully to
the law in the matter of exchange.
Money matters do become very close
with large per cent. of the patrons OF
our public schools. More than fifty per
cent. are negroes, and large portion
of the whites are poor. 80 that the
merest nominal difference for exchange
say ten cents per copy-would be
consideration appalling TO many of these
poor patrons. Hence one very impor-
tant consideration, for the commission
would be the matter of exchange. Ihe
most liberal terms should be demanded
by the commission in view of the fact
that, for while, five years at least, the
publishers would have monopoly In
this State. The regular price, also, af-
ter introduction, should be definitely
agreed upon, to prevent extortlon In
prices afterward. So much, then, for
the practicability of the scheme of uni
formity by States. Is it expedient?
The advantages accruing seem to out
weigh every other consideration. But
there are other matters as to its expedl-
ency. Would the people ratify such a
law at last, after all the advantages are
laid before them, and all the induce
ments in the matter of exchange? The
people are generally slow to adopt any
public measure, when the result reaches
right down into the pockets OF each
voter and takes few dimes therefrom.
Then the woeful indifference, that sits as
q mighty incubus upon the public mind,
would have to be aroused. Tranquility
would be disturbed and possibly a re-
peal demanded before the first five years
should expire. Such inducements for
frauds as have hardly ever been witness
ed would be held out from the very day
the commissioners should be appointed
or the law passed. Every man having
vote ON the text books, would receive by
return mail whole scores of books to ex-
anime. Enough for himself for life, and
for his children to the third and fourth
generation. Agents would visit them
at their homes, and meet the commission
in Jackson, and such "Pdekiag Of the
jury could only be described by the
teachers and patrons who would fail to
get the text books preferred by them.
Some would say that freedom of trade
would be curbed by such an arrange
ment-that Mississippi was vast foster
mother of monopolies, and very narrow
in her views of education; that honora
BILE competition was debarred, and that
the inducements to authors to improve
text books were circumscribed and limi
ted,-that talent was not given a fair
chance to compete with the world, etc.
All these are considerations of expedi-
ency, which might be well considered
together with its practicability. These
considerations also may modify the last
question shall introduce on the subject:
Is it desirable When q question is
shown to be advantageous and practica
Bile, it might seem that these two would
be conclusive of the question and impel
an answer in the affirmative. Expedi-
ency, however, weighs much, and should
constitute one factor in the makeup of
our opinion. As q matter of improve
ment, and better means of educating
our children, it il certainly desirable
As matter of economy to patrons of
the free schools it is commendable in the
highest degree. As . matter of conyen-
ience and pleasure to teachers, and 4
means of tightening their work, and rem
dering it far more efficient, Il Is worthy
of their most jealous endeavor, and
cheerful sacrifice Whenever teachers
themselves can come to fun realization
Of all the benefits to be derived from
uniformity Of text books BY States, then
will they gil the people With the same